Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon light butter
  • 12 tablespoon olive oil
  • 12 cup onion, chopped
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes (no-salt-added, preferred)
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
  • 14 teaspoon salt, to taste
  • 1 dash pepper (mixed-up pepper is our favorite, actually!)
  • 1 cup fat-free half-and-half (she also uses cream or 2% low-fat milk)
  • 14 cup vodka
  • 14 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (or more)
  • 1 lb whole wheat pasta

Method

  • Melt butter with oil in large heavy saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add onion and saute until translucent, about 8 minutes.
  • Add tomatoes and cook until almost no liquid remains in pan, stirring frequently about 15-25 minutes.
  • (At this point, start a pot of water for the pasta.
  • ).
  • Add cream, vodka and red pepper and boil until thickened to sauce consistency, about 2 minutes.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • (Sauce may be prepared 1 day ahead.
  • Cover and refrigerate.
  • ).
  • Pour sauce over 1 lb cooked whole wheat pasta.
  • Toss well, and serve with Parmesan cheese, if desired.